While there may not be snow, Christmas in Israel is an experience unlike any other country in the world. This year, tens of thousands of tourists are expected to visit Israel during the Christmas holiday and partake in a series of festive events organized by Israel’s Christian community in conjunction with Israeli authorities.
Israel is home to a diverse and thriving Christian community and to some of Christianity’s holiest sites which are preserved and protected under Israeli law. Israel’s Minister of Tourism Yarin Levin has welcomed the thousands of Christian pilgrims who will be spending Christmas in Israel noting, “Israel invites the faithful from all religions to pray, worship and visit all the holy sites in Israel, in freedom and security.”
From Midnight Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, to pilgrimages along Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, to spectacular Christmas tree lightings in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Christmas in Israel is a magical, festive, and unforgettable experience.
Christianity in Israel: Israel’s Christian population, which numbers close to 160,000, is an integral part of Israeli society. Israeli Christians are members of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament), serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, and boast the highest education success rates in the country. Like all minority and religious groups in Israel, Christians have full and equal rights under Israeli law and openly and proudly exercise their faith. Israeli cities with the largest Christian communities include Nazareth, Haifa, Jerusalem, Shfar'am, and Tel Aviv-Jaffa. These cities host a range of unique and festive events throughout the Christmas season.
Christmas in Israel 2017:
Israel opened the Christmas season with the traditional annual pre-Christmas reception for Church leaders and members of the Christian communities in Israel. The event, which took place in Jerusalem, featured Apostolic Nuncio to Israel H.E. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarcos from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, Dr. Juergen Buhler, Director of the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, a number of Israeli government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps. His Eminence Archbishop Aristarcos from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem referred to Jerusalem as the “universal symbol of peace and the most important destination of pilgrims in the world” and highlighted the “extraordinary number of pilgrims visiting the city, a number which grows with each passing year.” Israel’s Ministry of Tourismexpects a 20% increase in pilgrims visiting Israel this Christmas.
A series of events will be taking place in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Haifa, and Tel Aviv-Jaffa to mark the Christmas holiday.
Jerusalem: On Thursday (21 December), the Jerusalem municipality marked the beginning of Christmas by distributing Christmas trees at the Old City’s Jaffa Gate to Christian residents. The Old City, which includes the historic Armenian and Christian quarters, is famous for its beautiful lights and elaborate decorations, which are displayed throughout the Christmas season. Thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world are expected to visit the Old City this Christmas and walk in Jesus’s footsteps along the Via Dolorosa. Visitors will also participate in a myriad of religious services, concerts and festivities taking place throughout Jerusalem including at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Church of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, St. Stephen's Church, and the YMCA.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism will offer free shuttle transportation from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to service pilgrims traveling between the two cities.
Nazareth: Nazareth, the city in which Jesus spent most of his childhood, is scheduled to host a number of events and festivities to celebrate Christmas. On 17 December, the Nazareth Municipality marked the beginning of the Christmas season with a tree lighting at Mary’s Well, one of Christianity’s holiest sites. On Saturday, 23 December, Nazareth hosted its annual Christmas parade in which thousands of Christian youth, church clergy, and other local dignitaries marched through the main streets of Nazareth to the Basilica of the Annunciation, where the annunciation of the Virgin Mary is believed to have taken place. Thousands of Christians are expected to attend mass at the Basilica which will take place on Christmas Eve (24 December).
Haifa: The northern city of Haifa is famous for its religiously and culturally diverse population which includes a large Christian community. Each year in December, the city hosts a “Holiday of Holidays” festival which celebrates Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and marks the beginning of the holiday season. The month-long festival which features a range of religious and cultural events which promote co-existence and create opportunities for dialogue amongst Haifa residents. The festival includes an antiques fair, children’s’ activities, and a series of Liturgical concerts in Haifa’s churches. Throughout Christmas, visitors can marvel at the magnificent twelve-meter Christmas tree in Haifa’s German Colony square which is lit each evening and at the world-famous Baha’i gardens which are adorned with lights and festive decorations in honor of the holiday season.
Tel Aviv-Jaffa: Tel Aviv-Jaffa is known for its quaint alleys, transformed by endless lights, Christmas trees, and festive decorations during Christmas. On December 17, The Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality marked the beginning of Christmas with a tree lighting at the clock tower in Jaffa. Throughout December, the city hosts a number of Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations including winter opera performances each Friday at the Jaffa flea market, the Night Light festival which features beautiful light installations and musical performances, and a Christmas parade which will take place on the main streets of Jaffa on Saturday, January 6.
Israel is proud of its vibrant and thriving Christian community and wishes all those celebrating in Israel and around the world a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Information for this article was provided by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism.